Seasonal flowers and vegetable crops will be supplemented from the kitchen with soups, jams, pestos, breads and muffins. Please visit our market, kitchen and garden when you come to shop, it's a lovely trip worthy of time spent in a most beautiful place. Open June through October.

Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest opens for play in March and closes for the season on or about December 15. This 18-hole public course, measures 6,255 yards with a par 70 and 5,487 yards with a par 72 for women. The course has spectacular mature trees, high quality naturalized areas and beautiful water features including ponds and streams. The Deerpath Golf Academy offers the finest golf instruction on the North Shore. Golfers of all abilities will realize immediate and sustainable improvement for a lifetime of better golf.

This year, the city is celebrating American Farmers. The Market commits to providing the best local, fresh, healthy food to the community and the surrounding area. Farm-to-Table vendors provide vegetables, fruit, artisan breads, jams, honey and specialty items. The market is located at the intersection of Deerpath and Western Avenue. Free parking in all city lots.

Enjoy the natural wonders of the Pecatonica River, Stephenson County's water trail, as is meanders nearly 60 miles through undisturbed Midwestern beauty. Access the river at McNeil's Damascus Landing which offers ample parking, a picnic area, fire pit and charcoal grills, portable toilet, 10' x 20' floating dock and canoe/kayak and concrete boat launch with access docking. Camping at the site is available for canoe, kayaks and boaters. Reservations required.

This beautiful 715-acre state park with a 40-acre lake derives its name from a combination of the town of Lena and the Latin work for water, aqua. Lake Le-Aqua-Na offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities including more than 10 miles of mult-use trails. The large tracts of wooded land include oak, hickory, walnut and pine trees. Woodland flowers are on display, especially in the spring and early summer, and wildlife is abundant. There is boating, fishing, a children's fishing pond, swimming, picnic and playground areas, shelters, trails for mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing, equestrian trails, sledding, hunting and camping.

The Lambs Farm Farmyard will open daily March 30th through November 1, 2015. Come and enjoy Lambs Farm's famous Farmyard. Meet Miss Wiggles, the 450-pound pig with an affinity for Bavarian Crème donuts and Oreo Cookies®, and meet all of the new miniature animals, including Levi the miniature horse. Climb into the petting zoo with goats, sheep and lambs. Check out the llamas, alpacas, cows, horses, ducks and more. Enjoy a ride on the old-fashion carousel or the train. Then challenge friends and family to a round of mini golf! Farmyard memberships are available. Day passes for all activities available for $8 for adults and $12 for children 2-12.

This open-air market provides a great opportunity to buy local produce, baked goods, flowers and more. The market runs from May 1 to the end of October on Saturdays and Wednesdays at Scully Park Downtown Lincoln.

This 260-acre site offers nature trails for visitors to explore wetlands, prairie openings, and sandstone bluffs and ledges. The preserve is home to more than 700 plants and 70 bird species, including bald eagles during the winter months.

Spectacular woodlands and sheer sandstone walls create a challenge for rock climbing and rappelling, as well as hiking. Outdoor lovers will also find horseback riding, a lookout tower, cabins and a swimming pool. Dine at historic Giant City Lodge, known for its homemade fried chicken dinner. Two different locations in Giant City State Park near Carbondale give you climbing options. A trail behind the picnic shelter takes you to a set of steep bluffs known as Shelter #1 near the Makanda entrance; another climbing area of the park includes the steep sandstone cliffs in Devil's Standtable. Plan to bring all of your own equipment since no permanent anchors are allowed. Ropes are permitted in both areas. After rainstorms, the wet sandstone gets really slippery. Use caution when grabbing for ledges as copperhead snakes warm themselves on the rocks during sunny days.

Lake of Egypt is a privately owned reservoir located six miles south of Marion, Illinois and covers 2,300 acres with 90 miles of shoreline. The lake has an average depth of 18 feet. The lake is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), who created the impoundment in 1962, by damming the South fork of the Saline River, to supply cooling water for a coal-burning electric power plant.

This 18-hole course, designed by renowned golf architect Steve Smyers, was named by Travel + Leisure as one of "America's 100 Best Courses for $100 or Less." Kokopelli offers a full-service pro shop, professionals who offer personal golf instruction and an eight-acre practice facility. This course has a restaurant, lounge, and banquet facilities available.

This gift shop has a wide selection of fresh flowers, gourmet foods, home decor products and fragrances, crystal, and other gifts for you to choose from. We are members of FTD™ and Teleflora™, and you won't find better quality products at any other store.

Miss Emily's is a new gastropub located downtown in Marion Illinois. We serve lunch, dinner as well as craft beers, fine liquors and mixed drinks. The décor is designed to have a burlesque/speakeasy feel with lots of brass and hardwood throughout.

The Southern Illinois Miners are a professional baseball team based in Marion, IL. The Miners are a member of the East Division of the independent Frontier League. Since 2007, the Miners have played their home games at Rent One Park. The "Miners" name refers to the Southern Illinois region's history of coal mining.

The Miss Illinois Scholarship Association is a duly-accredited state preliminary scholarship association in the Miss America Organization - the world’s largest provider of scholarship and cash assistance to young women. For four nights, the Marion Cultural and Civic Center will host preliminaries, Outstanding Teen and Pre-Teen pageants, and overall finals.

Melise’s is your Southern Illinois destination for high-quality formal wear, accessories and more. Since opening the doors in 2006, the business has expanded to two levels of fabulous clothing, dresses, jewelry and more! The first floor features women’s and children’s consignment, Woodwick candles, new jewelry, new bags, Spanx, and tuxedo rental. Follow the red carpet upstairs to “Steps Above the Rest” Award Winning Formal Wear! We have NEW prom, homecoming, pageant and special occasion formal wear. You’ll also find a great selection of shoes, jewelry, gloves, custom swimwear and much more!

This Annual AKC Dog Show boasts many additional amenities. Sign up to bring your dog to the hearing clinic or get their nails trimmed while you wait. Over 100 breeds will try to make it to the Best In Show ring. There will also be vendors of dog treats, toys, beds, blankets and more.

This 45th Annual event is one of the most significant southern Gospel singing events in the state of Illinois. Many quartets, duets, and even soloists showcase their talents each year over three days at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. The Nehrkorns are the host trio for the 2014 year.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is located primarily in Williamson County, with small extensions into eastern Jackson and northeastern Union counties of southern Illinois. At almost 44,000 acres and with three lakes, Crab Orchard, Little Grassy, and Devils Kitchen, endless opportunities abound for watching wildlife, hiking nature trails, photography, swimming, fishing from the bank or by boat, and hunting. Four seasonally operational campgrounds are open from April-October and offer full hook-up, water, electric, or non-electric sites. Refuge staff and volunteers at the visitor center welcome visitors and sightseers 7 days a week from 8am-4:30pm. Visitor activities such as guided hikes, bald eagle tours, and monthly F.U.N. programs help connect families with the diversity of flora and fauna that southern Illinois has to offer. The Refuge provides many opportunities for wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation for the nature lover in us all.

Held annually at the Mendon Fairgrounds outside of Quincy, IL. 2014 dates are from July 29-Aug 4th. For more information, contact the office at 217-936-2230. The County Fair includes a carnival, grandstand events, and horse shows every day. Livestock exhibitors and domestic arts exhibits. Admission: $7 Thurs, Fri, Sun, & Tues. $10 Sat, Mon, & Wed.

Metropolis, Home of Superman, holds a celebration the second weekend in June each year celebrating the 'Man of Steel'. A Superman Drama kicks off the weekend of contests, music, food and fun, as well as a comic book & artist show, fan films, street vendors, a carnival, costume contest and a Super Car Show.

Hop aboard the family-owned Celebration Belle riverboat that cruises the mighty Mississippi River. Operating April through October, the 800-passenger riverboat offers a variety of cruises, ranging from sightseeing tours to theme cruises such as Big Band and fall foliage, captain's dinner and dance cruises, and overnight excursions.

Located in the heart of the mid-west in Monroe Center, Illinois, just a 20 minute drive south from Rockford, a quiet, majestic dwelling sits among the trees that seclude Kilbuck Creek from sight of even its closest neighbors. This secluded sanctuary in the wilderness could be the location of your upcoming wedding, family reunion, church or business retreat or romantic getaway.

Each summer, Montgomery Fest brings together neighbors and friends from throughout the area to enjoy a weekend of old-fashioned family fun. Held the second weekend in August along the banks of the Fox River, highlights of the Fest include musical performances, carnival rides, a wide range of food vendors, free pony rides and petting zoo, a fishing derby, a car show and a parade.

Located above Uptowne City Limits, theses suites offer overnight accommodations in the middle of Mt. Sterling. Each suite sleeps up to six people. Each features two bedrooms, large bathrooms and large living-kitchen areas. Suites offer their own washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove, dishes and big screen TVs with cable service. WiFi computer services are included.

The Frosty Mug Bar & Grill is a great place to bring the whole family for lunch or dinner. Located in Mt Vernon, IL, the Frosty is a restaurant and bar with daily lunch specials at affordable prices. Stop in for a great meal served by a friendly staff and see what you've been missing!

Held the first Saturday of every month, this farmers market and flea market features crafts, antiques, furniture, household items, baby furniture, produce, collectibles, art, food booths, and live entertainment!

The Murphysboro Apple Festival is the oldest and largest, alcohol-free festival in Southern Illinois. Over 45,000 people attend the festival each year. During the five days of the Apple Festival, there are numerous activities drawing large crowds such as evening stage shows, carnival/concessions, Queen Contest, Prince and Princess Contest, contests from apple pie eating to apple core throwing, firefighters' water fights, marching band competition, car shows, Appletime 5K Walk/Run and much more. In addition, the festival's Grand Parade is one of the largest parade in Southern Illinois. The parade features an average of about 160 total units, 25 of those marching bands, and a variety of groups and organizations.

Baxter's Vineyards & Winery will host its 21th Annual Home Wine Making Competition Awards Celebration on June 27, 2015 at Baxter's Vineyards & Winery in Nauvoo, Illinois. Non-commercial wine makers are invited to enter their best wines into this competition, which is split into five distinct categories: (1) red grape (2) white grape (3) blends (4) fruit wines and (5) other. The deadline to enter wines is Thursday, June 25, 2015. The wines will be judge in a closed, blind judging that will be held on June 26, 2015. The public is welcome to visit baxter's Vineyards on Saturday, June 27, 2015. Entry forms, along with rules of the competition are posted at www.nauvoowinery.com.

Fairview has an activity pool featuring arched water jets, a polar bear slide and a water mushroom. The park also features six lap swim lanes, a deep pool with two thrilling drop slides, multiple diving boards and two sand volleyball courts.

The CornBelters are a professional minor league baseball team with the independent Frontier League. In addition to competitive baseball, fans enjoy zany on-field promotions, outrageous entertainment acts, delicious food and post-game fireworks.

The Village of North Aurora is proud to continue the North Aurora Days tradition of providing a fun-filled weekend of activities and entertainment for the whole family in our great community. The sponsors, volunteers, and participants of North Aurora Days have been working hard to plan and provide a great celebration filled with fun for the entire family. This year’s festival will begin on Friday, August 7th with various events during the day. The emergency vehicle parade kicks off the Friday night festivities leading the spectators to our main stage, where they will enjoy a variety of food, beverages, and musical entertainment. Saturday, August 8th will be filled with a 5/10k race, fishing derby, Touch-a-Truck and more all ending on Sunday, August 9th with the fun filled pet parade.

Join us on Tuesday, August 6th from 12-9pm for Downtown Oak Park's authentic urban French Street Festival! Featuring: art exhibits by local artists, special showing of a French film, Can-Can dancers, French music by "Paris La Nuit," Poodle Parade, French lessons, Fresh made crepes, Wine tastings, Sidewalk chalk contest, Bike Rentals, and much more!

Wrap-up your Wright Plus experience at Unity Temple with a lively evening concert by Chicago's premier gypsy-jazz band, Swing Gitan. The group plays foot-tapping music on acoustic instruments in the style of 1930's guitarist Django Reinhardt. It's a blend of the jubilant swing of early jazz and the feisty passion of gypsy music, with a strong dose of guitar pyrotechnics and virtuosic improvisation.

The Richland Creek Trailhead serves as the main trailhead for the northern end of the Jane Addmas Recreation Trail. It features parking, a large shelter house with electricity, lights and picnic tables, a restroom, water and a primitive campground area.

Castle Rock State Park is located three miles south of Oregon on Highway 2. The 2,000-acre park includes rock formations, ravines, and unique northern plant associations. In one valley, 27 different types of ferns have been identified. A sandstone bluff, adjacent to the river, has given the park its name. Picnic area amenities include tables, shelters, grills, toilets, drinking water and playground equipment. Six miles of marked hiking trails have been developed, and a public boat ramp/parking facility is located across from the park's main entrance.

One of the most picturesque sites along the Rock River is just north of Oregon in Ogle County. The bluffs are graced with a majestic image of an American Indian gazing over the Rock River Valley. This is no ordinary statue. It is a 50 foot, concrete-reinforced wonder that is awe-inspiring. A tribute to all Native Americans, but more commonly associated with Chief Black Hawk, the statue was designed by sculptor Lorado Taft. You can enjoy many wonderful views of the Rock River from the park, but the best view of the statue is from IL Rt. 2.

Fresh produce, herbs, flowers, plants and homemade goods are some of the sights and smells at this old-fashioned summer market, held on Sundays, June through September, from 9am-1pm on Main Street in downtown Oswego.

Open May 1 thru October 15. This campground offers 46 sites with electrical and water hookups in additions to 70 permanent sites, as well as tent sites. Sewer hookups are offered when available. Also offered are two bath houses with flush toilets, showers, beach swimming, a restaurant, and playground area. Pets on a leash and campfires are allowed. Special amenities include fishing, and activities on holiday weekends. Visitors are invited to enjoy the summer at this special place.

The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League.The Chiefs are proud to be Central Illinois’ most affordable family entertainment. Over 5 million fans have enjoyed top quality baseball and non-stop entertainment over the last 27 years. More than 120 former Chiefs have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, including Mark Grace, Greg Maddux, Joe Girardi, Yadier Molina, Dan Haren and Albert Pujols.

This beautiful spot features five acres of landscaped gardens including the Woodland Garden, Children's Garden, Herb Garden and several others. Tropical conservatory is open year-round. Outdoor Garden is open 8:30am to dusk year-round. Closed Mondays.

This outdoor aquatic center has a swimming pool, a zero depth pool with play equipment, 2 giant water slides, 1 small slide, diving boards, a video arcard and wet sand play area.An arcade, lockers, showers, concessions and souvenirs are also available! Children seven years and under must be accompanied by an adult 17 years or older.

Previously known as O' Brien Field, Dozer Park is home to Minor League Baseball’s Peoria Chiefs and Bradley University Baseball. Located in downtown Peoria. Within walking distance of the Peoria Civic Center and minutes from several downtown hotels. A modern state of the art facility with private dining areas and business meeting accommodations all year round. The perfect fit for all types of group outings.

At Mt. Hawley Bowl we offer 24 high quality Bruswick Synthetic lanes with easy automatic scoring for family, friends, and league bowling. We make it fun for everyone! Also enjoy our 18 hole outdoor premium mini-golf. Just look for the 30ft Castle!

Downstate Illinois' largest center is a four-building complex with a 12,000-seat arena. With 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 2,200-seat theater, a ball-room seating 1,500 for banquets and 16 meeting rooms this venue can house it all. As the premier entertainment facility in downstate Illinois, the Civic Center plays host to a variety of concerts, family shows, sporting events and Broadway Theater Series each year.

This festival is to celebrate the spirit of everyone's favorite SuperHero and what he stands for. "Man of Steel" which was released in 2013, was filmed in Plano, IL and appears as "Smallville" in the film.

Regional and local blues bands provide outdoor free concerts in Quincy's historic Washington Park. Concerts are held from 5-9:30pm and food from local venders is typically available. Dates of concerts: June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 August 14 August 28 September 11 Bring a chair!

Experience the Mississippi River from a new and unique perspective! These 2- hour tours include basic instruction in how to properly pilot a kayak and guided tour of the Quincy Bay and river area. The guided tour includes all necessary equipment as well as instruction and tour, both given by a certified instructor and Mississippi River enthusiast. Open June through September. Self-guided tours/kayak rentals are also available. Reservations required. Call the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information or reservations! 217-214-3700.

Fun for the whole family! Highlights include two amazing water slides that splash down into 350,000 gallons of crystal clear water. The zero-depth entry pool also features water toys for children, lanes for swimmers, and diving boards. The 14,000 square foot facility also has a full bath house with accessible restrooms and changing rooms, along with a full-service concession stand, shaded and open lounge areas, picnic tables and much more.

The North Pole has moved to Central Illinois. Try your luck at the 6+ acre corn maze, the Grand Prix style race track, pick a pumpkin or a Christmas tree (depending on season), stop by the fascinating gift shop and, of course, see the reindeer!

The Riverside Arts Weekend (RAW) features a juried arts fair, theater, music, architecture and other arts-related events. This is a vibrant cultural weekend that brings thousands of visitors and residents together to mingle and walk the streets of historic downtown Riverside. The weekend will be located inside Guthrie Park in Riverside, IL.

The Fairways Golf Course is a serene 18-hole golf course designed by Perry Maxwell, ASGCA, which is open to the public and cherished by those in the Rochelle area since 1929. We are host to immaculate tree-lined fairways and an exceptional restaurant, Beacon on The Green, for lunch, dinners and banquets.

The Barn at Allen Acres Wedding and Reception Venue sits on 3 and 1/2 acres just on the edge of town in Rock Falls IL. The property is surrounded by a cornfield and offers a serene tranquil destination for your wedding and reception. The property is less than a 5 minute drive to restaurants and hotels. The Dairy Barn was built in the 1920's and restored in 2011. It boasts a beautiful 26 foot vaulted ceiling in the upstairs haymow with some of its original architecture still intact. During the process of the restoration, reclaimed barn wood and reclaimed hardware were used whenever possible, maintaining the rustic feel of the Barn. We've added a 5 foot wide set of stairs leading to the upstairs space and a small deck with stairs, off of the back of the Barn, giving the bride a dramatic entrance down the aisle and to the alter. The upstairs haymow has a capacity of 150 people for a wedding ceremony. The downstairs area, where the dairy cows were kept, in the early years of the barn, also has a capacity for 150 people.

Located on the historic Rock Island Arsenal island -- an active military munitions base -- the home offers guided tours that highlight the famous people who have visited this historic home, the history of the island through various wars, and the events that took place when the Davenport family lived in this home. Learn about the river bandits that broke into the home during the 4th of July and what happened to Colonel Davenport. IMPORTANT: Because this is an active U.S. Army facility, a current ID is required for age 16 or older to enter the island. International visitors must register one week ahead by calling 309-782-2686 Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Central Time.

Enjoy this professional water ski team as they perform on the Rock River with jumps, human pyramids and more. Great fun for all ages and admission is free. Shows are offered every Wednesday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day beginning at 6:30pm.

Kids will love this railroad themed aquatic center featuring a spiral slide, tube slide, water geysers and playful water features. Open during the summer months 7 days a week, Whitewater Junction is located inside the lovely Longview Park in Rock Island, Illinois.

This golf course is a stunning example of a golf course designed from the early part of the 20th century. Saukie was built in 1927 (opened in 1928) and designed by Thomas Bendelow. This public course is considered to be an “executive length" course and is a classic example of a short course that will challenge every golfer. Tee times available 6 a.m to 6 p.m.

Considered a "must play" course in the Midwest, Aldeen has an impressive list of accolades, including being voted best municipal course in Illinois by Golf Digest, and ranking number 38 in Golf Magazine's Thrifty 50 list.

The area's oldest outdoor summer theatre with four musical productions in June and July. Starlight's home, the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre, features more than a thousand seats, a stunningly artistic and creative retractable roof, new seating and an improved stage. Starlight Theatre has been named one of Illinois' 150 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council. This prestigious award is given to places that have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life.

MB Financial Park at Rosemont, the new entertainment district, features lively bars and restaurants with live music, casual dining, bowling, and outdoor patios. A seasonal courtyard is in the center of it all- perfect for farmers markets, movies under the stars, music festivals & ice skating. MB Financial Park at Rosemont is only a block from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and is anchored by Muvico 18- Movie Theater, a number of hotels and the vibrant Rosemont Theatre.

Free Summer Concert Series The Rockin' in the Park festival will be a summer-long concert series, beginning in May and continuing through August. The festival features live bands, fireworks and food and beverage tents on the great lawn in the center of MB Financial Park at Rosemont. Visit www.mbparkatrosemont.com for complete line up!

Come out to Allstate Arena this summer to enjoy a night of world-class basketball and family fun with the Chicago Sky! With a season that runs May through August, the Sky provides summer-fun for all ages. Chicago's premier women’s professional basketball team offers fans the unique opportunity to get their group in the game, and on the court. Groups can register to high five the Sky players, deliver the game ball to the referee, play on the same court as the Sky or sing the National Anthem. No other sporting event allows you to get as up-close-and-personal with the players!

The Stadium at the Ballpark at Rosemont is the 2,000-seat home of the Chicago Bandits, the 2011 NPF World Champion women's softball organization, East Leyden High School's girls softball team and the Rosemont School's boys and girls softball team. It is located on the west side of 1-294, and is the first facility of its kind in the nation built expressly for women's professional sports. The team plays 25 home games a year, from June through August.

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center offers a total 840,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space. Configure it any way you like. You may need a 500-booth to 800-booth area, or 100 to 200 booths. If you’re planning a larger show, you’ll appreciate our continuous 250,000 square-foot space for 1,225 booths. Or you can create a multiple hall layout for up to 3,566 booths. Customized floor plans are our specialty, so just ask.

Peace of Earth (an eco-friendly lodging experience) offers you the chance to relax and enjoy nature in a comfortable homey atmosphere in all seasons of the year. Guest rooms, cabins, and the ever-popular Tree House include queen-sized beds and a sitting/ reading area. All our lodging accommodations are television, telephone and internet free. Our great room in the Lodge includes a common area and dining room, both of which feature amazing wildlife viewing through the south-facing forty-foot-long window wall. Cedar decks wrap the Lodge and offer tree-top dining or relaxing. Take Highway 24 north of Rushville Middle School to Route 4 (Ray Road). Lodge is mailbox 41 on Ray Road.

The oldest continuing fair in the State of Illinois. The fair includes: harness races, draft horse pulls, carnival rides, demo derby, grandstand shows and the Midwest’s largest display of agricultural and home arts exhibits.

The Nest at Palisades Cabins offer secluded luxury cabins designed to provide charm, quiet luxury and romance. We’re located on a wooded acreage high above the Mississippi River minutes from Savanna, the Palisades State Park and an easy 20 minute drive to Galena.

Located in the heart of the Chicago suburbs, the Schaumburg Boomers are the ideal destination for family-oriented fun. The Boomers are a Minor league baseball team competing in the Independent Frontier League.